LOS ANGELES/PALO ALTO/SAN FRANCISCO— The Recorder, a premier California legal publication and part of ALM Media, has named Covington and its lawyers as finalists or honorees in eight categories as part of this year's California Legal Awards, the most of any law firm recognized this year.
Covington partner John Hall, chair of the firm's global Litigation practice and a former federal prosecutor with more than 40 years of courtroom experience, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ingrid Rechtin, co-chair of the firm’s Technology Industry Group, who advises public and private companies on M&A and complex technology, life sciences, and cross-border transactions, was named a Woman Leader in Tech Law. Winners in additional categories will be announced at the California Legal Awards ceremony in June 2026.
Covington is a finalist in the following categories:
- Community Advocacy and Impact Initiative
- Dealmaker of the Year — Emily Leonard, managing partner of Covington's Palo Alto office and a leader in the firm's Life Sciences Transactions practice, where she advises pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on strategic partnerships, licensing, and technology transfer arrangements
- Entertainment Lawyer of the Year — Neema Sahni, co-chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation and Entertainment & Media practices, who litigates high-stakes disputes across the sports, media, music, and entertainment industries
- Innovation in Tech/AI — Lindsey Tonsager, chair of the firm's global Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice and a recognized authority on artificial intelligence regulation, children's online privacy, and state comprehensive privacy laws
- Office Managing Partner of the Year — Gretchen Hoff Varner, managing partner of Covington's San Francisco office and a leading insurance policyholder attorney who has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients in high-stakes coverage litigation
- Vanguard Award
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